Where to travel for the May Bank Holidays

Madrid

Madrid in May is on particularly good form: sunny but not scorching, lively without the midsummer crush and ideal for long lunches, gallery stops and late-night plans that start with vermouth and end far later than intended. It suits a long weekend because the best bits are wonderfully easy to tackle in a few days, from the Prado to Retiro and Gran Vía. Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid brings old-school glamour and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant (where the food and drink credit for Little Emperors members comes in handy), while Brach Madrid adds Philippe Starck theatrics, a rooftop terrace and plenty of Grand Vía attitude.

Florence

A short break in Florence can feel wonderfully disproportionate, as though 48 hours somehow stretches into something far grander. May helps, with warm weather, clear light and gardens looking especially smug. The city is compact enough for a long weekend and full of the sort of places that reward aimless wandering. Collegio alla Querce offers terraced Baroque gardens, antiques and eye-catching Duomo views, while Portrait Firenze keeps things sharp and elegant on the Arno, just steps from Ponte Vecchio and the Ferragamo Museum, where our members get complimentary entry.

San Sebastián

For anyone who likes their city breaks with a side of sea air and a serious lunch, San Sebastián is hard to argue with. May brings milder sunshine, easier restaurant bookings and that useful sweet spot before summer gets busy. It is brilliantly suited to a long weekend because everything feels close at hand, from the beach to the old town to the next plate of pintxos. Nobu Hotel San Sebastián gives you bay views and world-famous food, including complimentary Wagyu Cecina Rolls and Sake for Little Emperors members, while Hotel Maria Cristina offers vintage grandeur and a concierge with excellent contacts.

Lisbon

Lisbon comes into its own at this time of year. The jacarandas are out, the evenings stretch nicely and the city has that golden-hour charm for what feels like most of the day. It’s a gift for a long weekend, with enough going on to keep things interesting and distances that stay mercifully manageable. Corinthia Hotel Lisbon offers broad city views and a spa that could derail your sightseeing plans, while Bairro Alto Hotel puts you right by Praça Luís de Camões with river-facing terraces and a front-row seat to the city’s social life.

Stockholm

After a long winter, Stockholm in May has a particular sort of energy. The light hangs around, waterside walks become very appealing and the whole city seems keen to be outdoors again. That makes it ideal for a long weekend, especially if you want museums, smart restaurants and a change of pace that still feels lively. As for where to stay, Villa Dagmar has a courtyard, wine bar and direct access to Östermalms Saluhall, while Grand Hôtel Stockholm supplies a grand waterfront address, old town views and a spa with proper Scandinavian credentials.

French Riviera

The French Riviera in May is showing off, quite rightly, with glittering sea, sunny terraces and far fewer crowds than later in the season. It is exactly the kind of place that works for a long weekend because the mood arrives almost immediately: one lunch by the water and you are already in holiday mode. Carlton Cannes brings La Croisette glamour, beach club appeal and film-worthy backstory, plus a complimentary airport transfer for Little Emperors staying in suites, while Lily of the Valley, just south of Saint-Tropez, offers a more health-conscious escape with Philippe Starck interiors and hillside calm.

Vienna

There is something very satisfying about Vienna in spring. Café tables spill outside, the parks look freshly pressed and the city’s grand buildings appear even more impressive than usual. A few days is plenty here as the centre is easy to tackle on foot and the cultural hit rate is absurdly high. Rosewood Vienna offers a smart address near Petersplatz with rooftop views, while Almanac Palais Vienna brings a contemporary feel to two historic palais on the Ringstrasse, close to museums, galleries and evening performances.

Lake Como

Lake Como makes a strong case for stealing away in May, when the gardens are in excellent shape and the water looks particularly gorgeous. It suits a long weekend because the pleasures are immediate: boat rides, long lunches and beautiful villages to explore. The Lake Como EDITION brings a sharper, more current feel to a 19th-century palazzo, with lake-facing terraces, a floating pool and a private dock, while Grand Hotel Tremezzo offers Bellagio views, perhaps the best breakfast in the region (complimentary for our members) and all the charm you could reasonably ask for.

Read our guide on where to go in Spring.